Improvement in pruning-hooks



W. L. SHAW. Pruning-Hook.

Patented Nov. 20,1877.

PATENT WALTER L. SHAW, or BULLSKIN TOWNSHIRFAYETTE COUNTY, PA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PRUNlNG-HOOKS.

Specification formingpart of Letters Patent No. 197,415, dated November 20, 1877; application filed September 20, 1877 To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, WALTER L. SHAW, of Bullskin township, in the county of Fayette and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Pruning- Hooks; and 1 do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, in which Figure l is an elevation of a pruning-hook embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 are detached views of the hook and its hand-ring.

Like letters refer to like parts wherever they occur.

My invention relates to pruning hooks, wherein a hook is employed to steady the branch under the stroke of a sliding chisel.

My invention consists, first, in the novel combination of the hook provided with a stem adapted to rest in a slot or groove in the chiselstock; a chisel-stock grooved to receive the hook-stem, and slide upon the same; a chisel connected directly to the chisel-stock and operated thereby; and a hand-ring for steadying the hook while the chisel is moved thereon, whereby a simple, compact, and efiective implement is obtained; secondly, in connecting the sliding hand-rin g of the hook to the hookstock by a recess and slots, or equivalent devices, thus simplifying the construction and adjustment of the devices; and, finally, in combining, with the chisel-stock, a ring or ferrule, which serves as a stop for the hand-ring of the hook-stock, as well as to strengthen and bind the chisel-stock, all as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

The object of the present invention is to simplify and cheapen the cost of manufacture, and at the same time to make a substantial, durable, and efiective pruning-hook.

I will now proceed to describe my invention v so that others skilled in the art to which it appertains may make and use the same.

a. represents the pole or chisel-stock, pro-. vided at its upper end with a ferrule or slotted cap, b, to which is secured the chisel c. I

The chisel 0 may have an oblique edge, as shown, or, if preferred, may be otherwise shaped or notched, as indicated in dotted line.

Extending longitudinally along the pole or stock a, to within about an arms length of the foot of the stock, is a groove or recess, d, for the reception of the stock or tang of the hook. Around the pole a, at the end of slot (1, is placed a ferrule, 0, provided with a tongue or lip, f, which extends into the recess d, said tongue, together with the ring or ferrule 6, serving to bind the pole and prevent its splitting, and to receive the thrust of the butt of the hook stock or stem.

9 represents the hook, whose point g is preferably turned in sufficiently far to avoid any liability of its catching with and crossing the chisel. This hook has a stem, 9 continuous therewith, of flat metal, one-half (or less) the diameter of the chisel-stock, and somewhat less in length than the stock to. Its lower end is cut out or notched, as at h, to receive the sliding hand-ring, and has a hook, i, to lock therewith.

10 represents a sliding hand-ring for controlling the hook, usually formed with a protuberant portion or flange, to form a purchase for the hand of the operator. This ring is somewhat wider than the slot formed in the hookstock, and is notched, as at s s, so that it will engage with the slot h of the hook-stock.

The groove d of the chisel-stock should correspond in depth with the width of the hookstock, or else the hand-ring 70 may slip out of the notches and wedge the hook so that it cannot be readily manipulated; and, for convenience in adjusting and connecting the parts, the lower part of the stem or hook-stock g is preferably hollowed or cut away slightly, as at d.

and the lower end of the hook stock or stem a leather or -rubber washer, with lip correslightly beyond the same; the hand-ring is Prion.

To prevent the battering of the hand-ring kbrought up to position, and its lower edge slippedunder hook. 'iuntil' the upper edge will enter with its slot the slot of stem when the hand-ring k may be drawn down on the stock, carrying with it the stem or hook-stock g.

In using the devices, the hand-ring k is pushed along the rod until the hook gprojccts a sufficient distance. The hook is then passed over the branch to be out, is steadied and fixed by holding the hand-ring 7c, and-the chisel is then operated through its stock a.

The advantages of my devices are strength, durability, simplicity, and power.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,'is

1. The combination, in a pruning-hook, of the hook provided with the stem adapted to rest in a groove in the chisel-stock; a chiselstock grooved to receive the hook-stem and stock, the ferrule or ring, having a lip which entersthe groove of the chisel-stock, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I, the said WALTER L. SHAW, have hereunto set my hand.

WALTER L. SHAW.

Witnesses:

JAMES I. KAY, JAMES K.,BAKEWELL. 

